Access Statement For Hill House Farm Bed & Breakfast

Introduction

I aim to cater for the needs of all visitors in my home based 2 bedroom bed and breakfast and in our annex called the Coach House which provides 2 bedrooms on the ground floor.  If you have any specific questions please feel free to call me and I will endeavour to help.

Pre-Arrival

• The main train station is 25 minutes away by car.
• The bus stop is at the end of my long (1.3 miles) country lane.
• There is a local taxi service from Ipswich and I can make a booking for you, if required.
• Brochures and menus can be provided in large print by prior arrangement.
• I have a comprehensive website.
• You can contact me via telephone, fax or email (details below)
• The nearest pub is 2.5 miles away by car and the nearest shop is 2 miles by car.

Arrival & Car Parking Facilities

• On arrival to Hill House Farm there is a long drive.
• There are no marked parking bays but there is ample room for all cars.
• The surface slopes gently and is larger pebbles. There is a level brick footpath which is parallel to the driveway and leads from the front door of the farmhouse to the ground floor Coach House annex.
• I can assist guests with luggage
• There is rear access to the vehicle if you reverse up to the level brick pathway
• I can provide dog bowls on request
• There is no covered area from the car to the front door of the house but the distance from the drop off point to the main door is 109 cm.
• There are outside lights around the area of the brick path

Main Entrance & Reception

• The front door has a step 4.5 cm high and a stainless steel lip in it 1.5  cm high
• I could provide a temporary ramp if requested (please let us know in advance)
• The front door is always locked but I have a knocker which is 142 cm high and a bell which is 134cm high
• The door is 77cm wide when open and is side hung
• On entry to my home there is a  large furnished hallway with 108 cms available width
• There is seating provided in the hallway
• There is carpet and rugs in the hallways.

Public Areas - General (Internal)

• The corridors to the dining room are 108cm wide
• Corridors have a good colour contrast
• The flooring on all corridors is medium pile carpet
• The covering on stairs and upstairs corridors is medium pile carpet.
• Dog water bowl and food bowl (and food if requested in advance) are available on request
• The dining room, sitting room and two bedrooms are on the ground floor
• There are 9 stairs to the corner, followed by a further 8 stairs to the first floor bedrooms
• The stairs are 19 cm high, 24 cm deep, 91 cm wide
• Wi-Fi is available in most rooms

Public Areas - WC

• 3 Bedrooms are ensuite and 1 has its own private bathroom.
• There is a ground floor lavatory for guests with restricted mobility on the ground floor.  It measures 310cm long and 160 cm wide and the door is side hanging and 70cm wide when open.  The lavatory has a left side transfer.

Restaurant / Dining Room, Bar & Lounges, Take Away & Cafe

• Breakfast is served in the dining room on the ground floor. There is a very small door step 2.5  cm high.
• Chairs are flexible and can be moved on request
• The dining room table has an under space of  70cm high by 128cm wide and height of 73cm (pedestal legs). Chairs with arms can be provided on request.
• Menus can be provided in large print on request.
• I do not play background music in any area of the B & B
• There is table service
• There is a downstairs lavatory mentioned above for the use of guests with restricted mobility.

Laundry

• Not applicable

Shop

• Not applicable

Treatment rooms

• Not applicable

Leisure Facilities

• Not applicable

Outdoor Facilities

• There is a large garden of 2.5 acres of formal and wild borders and lawn.  As the name of the B & B suggests the garden slopes in places

Conference & Meeting Rooms, Banqueting, Clubs, Entertainment

• Not applicable

Bedrooms

• There are two bedrooms on the ground floor in the annex and two on the first floor of the farmhouse:

First-floor bedrooms

Bedroom 1 (Red room) Double ensuite room on the first floor

• There are 9 stairs to a landing followed by a further 8 stairs to the first floor bedroom
• The stairs are 19 cm high, 27 cm deep, 91 cm wide.
• This room can either be a large superking bed or twin beds at 62cm high but can be raised with blocks on request
• At least 85 cm routes within the bedroom e.g. to the side of beds, between beds and dressing chest, therefore allowing for left or right transfer to bed in any combination
• Some furniture is moveable on request
• The television and DVD player have remote controls.
• There is a comfortable sofa with arms and footstool provided in the bedroom
• There is a large (carpeted) ensuite bathroom with a shower over the bath (see below for details)
• Unfitted short pile carpet on the floor

Ground floor bedrooms in the Coach House annex

Bedroom 2 is called the Coach House room (very large room)

• The Coach House annex is approached via the brick path 109cm wide. Unloading from the back of a vehicle onto the path is possible. The path leads to a front door.  This door is 75  cm wide when open and is side hung to the left and opens inwards. There is 75cm clear space in the lobby but the dresser can be moved on request.
• Can be either a large double bedded room or a twin bedded room but can have an additional put-u-up adult 3 foot wide bed on request.
• At least 85 cm routes within the bedroom e.g. to the side of beds, but not between beds and dressing table, therefore allowing for left or right transfer to either of the beds 
• Furniture is moveable on request
• Beds are 64cm high but can be raised with blocks on request
• Television and DVD with remote control
• 1 small Parker Knoll sofa and three upright chairs (no arms) are provided in the room
• There is an ensuite shower room (see below for details)
• Fitted short pile carpet on the floor
• Touch bedside lamps and over the bed lights (only one control switch)
• door widths (main & bathroom) are 74 & 77 cm wide respectively when open

Bedroom 3 - The Stable Room in the Coach House annex

• Door widths (main and bathroom) are  74 & 77 cm wide respectively when open
• Can be either a large double bedded room or a twin bedded room
• At least  85 cm routes on the right hand side of the bed which leads to the ensuite shower room.
• Furniture is moveable on request
• Beds are 64cm high but can be raised with blocks on request
• Television/DVD player with remote controls
• Two high back Parker Knoll armchairs and one upright chair (no arms) are currently provided in the room
• There is an ensuite shower room (see below for details)
• Fitted short pile carpet on the floor

Bathroom, Shower-room & WC [Ensuite or Shared]

Ensuite bathroom with Bedroom 1 (Red room)

• Door width  82cm opening inwards
• Basin is flat fronted and has a pedestal. It is 81cm high.
• Lavatory is 43cm  high and has right side transfer with plenty of available space.
• The bath has a fixed daisy head and a hand held shower attachment
• The bath edge is 56cm high

Coach House annex bedroom 2 (Coach House room)

• Door width 76 cm opening outwards.
• Shower cubicle edge/step is 19 cm high.  There is a grab rail to the left of the sliding door to the shower.
• Free floor space 126cm x 109cm
• Basin is rounded at the front is 80cm high, has lever taps and a pedestal
• Lavatory is 43cm high and has right side transfer
• Lino on the floor

Coach House annex Bedroom 3 (Stable room)

• Door width 77cm opening outwards
• Free floor space clear of door is a bit tight for a wheel chair. Please discuss
• The shower cubicle has a step/edge of 19 cm high.
• The basin has a pedestal.  It is 80cm high. It does NOT have lever taps. There are no grab rails. The lavatory is 43cm high.
• Lino on the floor

Self-Catering Kitchen

• Not applicable

Caravans, Holiday Homes & Twin Units

• Not applicable

Touring Facilities (Holiday Parks)

• Not applicable

Boats - Narrow Boat, Cruiser & Hotel Boat

• Not applicable

Attractions (Displays, exhibits, rides etc.)

• Not applicable

Grounds and Gardens

• There is a large garden of approx 2.5 acres comprising formal borders and sloping lawn and wild life/wild flower areas. There is an uneven terrace around the house but the new brick path from the front door to the Coach House is level and is 109cm wide. The lawn outside the Coach House is flat.

Additional Information

• Assistance dogs are welcomed
• Mobile phone reception is generally good
• It is possible to use the front and back doors in the need of evacuation.  The doorbell will ring continuously if evacuation is needed.  If you require more assistance for evacuating (e.g. hearing impairment) please notify me on arrival and I will ensure you are evacuated safely.
• This is a no smoking building. Smoking is allowed in the garden.
• I can supply a small drinks fridge (by prior arrangement) which can be used for medication/food and I can put larger items in the main fridge on request.

Contact Information

• Address: Hill House Farm Bed & Breakfast, Wades Lane, Shotley, Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 1EW
• Telephone: 01473 787318
• Fax: 01473 787111
• Email: Please use the form on our contact us page
• Website:www.wrinchfarmstay.co.uk
• Hours of operation: Closed 22 December - until 27 December. Sometimes closed at the New Year. Hours flexible to business, the B & B is my home so occupied 24 hours.  Mainline telephone answered 8 am - 9.30 pm

Local taxi numbers:

Orwell Cars serves Shotley and surrounding area. Executive service. Mercedes Saloons and Multi People Vehicles. All long hauls, airports, ports etc. 07887 877300 Can organise local pick-ups and drop offs with more than 6 hours notice but can only carry 4 people at any time.

From Ipswich:

• Avenue Taxis: 01473 40 70 70
• Hawk Express: 01473 22 22 22

I welcome your feedback to help my continuous improvement. If you have any comments please phone 01473 787318 or email using the form on our contact us page.

Access Statement updated 17 April 2012.